Canyon: "Representing My Country Feels Heavier Than Club Play"
For a professional League of Legends player, every match is a battle for results, but the stakes shift when wearing a national emblem. After South Korea defeated Saudi Arabia 2-0 to advance to the Asian Games finals, jungler Canyon (Kim Geon-bu) shared his perspective on the unique pressure of representing his country.
The Weight of the Emblem
Canyon explained that playing for the national team carries a weight that exceeds his usual club matches. While he maintains a serious approach to his professional career in the LCK, the responsibility of playing for South Korea adds a different layer of intensity. "It feels heavier and even more serious. I never let my guard down and keep my full focus on the game," he stated.
In the decisive second game against Saudi Arabia, the South Korean side demonstrated tactical flexibility. Anticipating the opponent's preference for Sylas, the team opted for Nidalee and Olaf to counter the pick. Furthermore, following Saudi Arabia's selection of Illaoi, the team utilized real-time communication to swap roles: Zeus (Choi Woo-je) moved to the top lane to play Nidalee, while Canyon took over the jungle role on Olaf.
Synergy Among Rivals
A standout aspect of the tournament has been the opportunity to team up with players he typically competes against in the LCK. Canyon noted that such opportunities are rare and provided a chance to witness the immense talent of his peers firsthand. He believes that their rapid development in teamwork was driven by high-level fundamental skills and intensive scrim sessions.
Despite having already defeated Chinese Taipei during the group stage, Canyon remains cautious. He observed that their previous victory was aided by a specific draft composition that required a swift conclusion to the game. He warned that if both teams secure solid compositions in the finals, Chinese Taipei certainly possesses the potential to challenge them.
With the championship within reach, Canyon expressed a singular focus on victory. The final match, played in a best-of-five format, is scheduled for October 2 at the Aichi Sky Expo.
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